Ross Simons vintage costume jewelry
Ross Simons vintage costume jewelry
Traditionally handcrafted, most of the company’s vintage jewelry is made of silver, gold, platinum, and precious and semi-precious stones. According to the marking, the company moved the production to China, supposedly in the 1970s.
Born in 1916 to a Jewish family in Lynn, Massachusetts, Sidney Thomas Ross received a good education and was destined to become a lawyer. After graduating from Lynn Classical High School, he entered the prestigious Tufts University Law School. However, he chose another way, deciding to go into retail.
In July 1952, 36-year-old Ross became a partner of Phil Simons. Together with his wife Lillian, they opened the first jewelry store in downtown Providence, Rhode Island. Thus, the name of the Ross-Simons store and Ross-Simons, Inc. company reflected the names of two business partners.
At first they bought jewelry from the same suppliers as other jewelry stores, but offered jewelry at lower prices. Of course, their competitors did not like that, and as a result, Ross-Simons faced several lawsuits in 1956 and 1957. However, years of litigation ended in favor of Ross-Simons, Inc.
Ross Simons vintage costume jewelry
Inspired by the success, the company began to expand, opening additional stores in Rhode Island and then beyond. Then, in 1981, Ross sent out his first catalog to 100,000 potential clients. This was the beginning of a very great success.
In 1998, Ross underwent open heart surgery, as a result of which he decided to leave the business he founded. By that time, the company already had annual revenues in excess of $ 100 million. Six years later, on September 21, 2004, Ross passed away at the age of 88.
Ross’s son, Darrell opened a new chain of stores which he named after his father, Sidney Thomas Jewelers.
